Faldo vs. Mickelson, who was better?

[Hawkeye77]

He was definitely a prickly pear, lol, and was just himself it seemed, which around other players, the media, etc. wasn't warm and fuzzy.

A short, but really good Hogan read, is Mr. Hogan, The Man I Knew by Kris Tschetter. He definitely had a different side than 90% of what is reported and that book will bring tears to your eyes at certain points. I think I've read every Hogan bio there is out there and those books also offer lots of insight into his "good side".

He was just a tough nut to crack, defined by a tough early life, took no prisoners and IMO just didn't allow personal relationships getting the way of competition - but then there's the story of Lloyd Mangrum spending a summer working with Ben to change and improve his game.

Enigma.

[dalehead]

They weren’t “bombing the ball off the tee” because they were using balata balls, persimmon drivers, and steel shafts. As for Bubba snap hooking his wedge, you’re right. Nobody did that in Hogan’s day. But nobody besides Bubba is doing it today. As for today’s tour player I was at Bay Hill this year and spent a lot of time at the 6th green. A lot of players were coming up 20-30 yards short of the green with a back pin. Saw plenty of bump and runs, many well executed.

Long carries over water? Bobby Jones 1923 US Open at Inwood, 18th hole of a playoff. 2 iron from 190 yards over water. He hit it to 8 feet.

[MUNIGRIT]

I misquoted. Floyd blew 1990 Masters with a big lead on the back starting at 13.

[MUNIGRIT]

You would? Literally the only argument is 1 more major and he only won 2 of the 4. Other than that Phil had a much better career in my opinion especially when you look at his college and amatuer.

[Golfnutgalen]

Exactly. And outside of that missing win, Phil has 11 2nd place finishes, 27 top 5s, and 38 top 10s in majors. Faldo in comparison has 3 2nds, 19 top 5s, and 26 top 10s.

Faldo didn't play as much on the PGA Tour and his win percentage was just 3.9% up 1997 the year of his last win (9/230). That is not a bad number of course, but it is dwarfed by Phil at the same stage in their careers ( age 40 9.2%, 38/413) and Greg Norman (age 40 7.1%, 17/238) for that matter.

[anythingfinite]

Yeah. Its a tough call, for sure, but something about Faldo's career and prestige in the game sits much better with me. Lefty lost A LOT of points with me at the US Open 2 years ago.

[braincramp52]

That's weird. His actions at that U.S Open made me like him even more.

[MUNIGRIT]

I honestly think in the general public people think Faldo win a lot more majors and tournaments. Phil kind of suffers the opinion from the public as a choker from early on. Phil had bad luck in many majors where Faldo had some amazing luck. Phil has almost as many PGA tour wins as Faldo has all professional wins. Not to mention Phil's win on PGA tour while in College and one of the best Brittish Opens where he just went up against the only guy in history where he doesnt get the win(more bad luck).

[Hawkeye77]

Except we are talking about pro careers.

Flip a coin, like one, like the other - neither choice should surprise anyone.

[anythingfinite]

Huh. It wasn't the swat, but his explanation of it. Seemed cowardly.

[MUNIGRIT]

Well the initial question was who was better? No mention of pro careers. Obviously it was Phil and he didnt fizzle out in his 40s to a good weekend golfer. Only argument for Faldo is 1 more major. It is everyone's personal choice though.

[gvogel]

My opinion on Phil is this: when he knew where his driver was going, he could play exceptionally well. Phil won a Master with two drivers in the bag, a fade driver and a draw driver. Phil won an Open Championship, and came second in a US Open, with a 2-wood in the bag, and no driver.

Straight driving in majors was Phil's achilles heel. I happen to think that if he had played with the mini-driver, he could have won more majors. Why? Because his short game was so good.

But Phil was not disciplined enough to play with the mini driver in more majors (which he could have won), so I give the nod to Sir Nick.

[Shilgy]

Some guys value majors in an odd way. In another thread going one said he would rather have Micheel’s career over that of Colin Montgomerie.

[anythingfinite]

Yeah, that person is mad.

[Darth Putter]

Phil's game doesn't really suit the US Open, but you'd think he would have won one of them. Tom Watson won his US Open with the straightest driving round of his career to that point. One final round with 13/14 fairways and Phil would own the career slam.

What mystifies me about Phil is his lack of success in the British Open. He has just one win, two seconds and a third. Others that were wild with the driver: Tom Watson won five times, Walter Hagen won four, Seve won three and Arnie won it twice.

[Darth Putter]

"Odds on" is a fraction less than 1. The lowest I can find for Tiger is 5/4 for the 2000 Buick Open when he tried to extend his win streak to seven. An "odds on" bet would be his odds to win Any major in 2000, which was 1/3.

[anythingfinite]

He was a high ball hitter and high spin player for so long that any wind killed him. It wasn't until he learned to hit a flatter, deader ball that he started having more success.

[Darth Putter]

Would he take Jamie Anderson over Greg Norman?

[Darth Putter]

Watson, Nicklaus, Woods , Norman all high ball hitters with multiple Claret Jugs.

 

I guess it took Phil about twenty years to adjust.

[anythingfinite]

All those guys could hit it flat when they needed to with maybe the exception of Watson, whose strategy was to ride the wind. Wasn't it Hoylake in 2006 that Tiger hit zero drivers in the final round?

[MUNIGRIT]

He did that at Torey Pines USO and was missing fairways with it. I'll give him credit he isnt afraid to try stuff.

[bscinstnct]

Whenever people talk about betting I’m like,

 

Thats why I don’t bet!

 

Only one time at this bachelor party, I rolled black like 4 x in a row! Made some cash but...

 

Well that’s another story ; )

 

[Hawkeye77]

”Only argument”? LOL.

I guess if we aren’t talking pro careers then get back to me when Phil is a knight.

[grm24]

Tiger hit 1 driver in the entire event. That one time was during the first round.

[anythingfinite]

Exactly.

[cdnglf]

 

Sir Figjam of House Five Guys

 

[bscinstnct]

 

Noble House, Five Guys Is

 

Sir Greasy Bag of Fries banner is striking.

 

Golden fried potatoes on a paper bag brown wrapper...

 

 

 

 

 

[cdnglf]

Verily, their sigil brings joy to many.

[Hawkeye77]

LOL - and Phil has the T Rex head.

[mahonie]

Tiger played with Faldo for the first 2 rounds. At the end of the 2nd round Faldo asked if he could have Tiger's driver for his son Matthew who caddied for him on the basis that Tiger wasn’t using it!